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TO: Mayor John Laesch and City Council
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: April 30, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a contract with Compass Minerals America Inc. in the amount of $1,065,000.00 and the appropriation and expenditure of MFT funds for an amount up to $1,065,000.00 for salt purchases.
PURPOSE:
To execute a contract with Compass Minerals and execute the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) resolution necessary to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the purchase of sodium chloride (rock salt) for 2026 (MFT Section No. 26-00000-00-GM).
BACKGROUND:
The bulk road salt to be used for snow removal is typically purchased through the State's Central Management Services Office and the DuPage County Procurement Services Division; both entities secured multiple bids through a publicly advertised sealed process, establishing competitive unit prices. The City has also gone out to bid on its own at certain times, including in 2024 to fill the new salt dome at the new Public Works facility.
For the 2026-2027 winter season, the City will still be purchasing salt through the State and DuPage County. Since the 2025-2026 winter season was very harsh with above average quantities of salt used, the Public Works Department would like to fill up the salt reserves this summer/fall. Currently the Kautz dome is about half full, the Central Garage dome is almost full, and the Public Works facility salt dome is essentially empty. This City bid would fill the new Public Works salt dome back up to capacity before the winter starts.
DISCUSSION:
The invitation to bid for this project was posted on March 23, 2026. A copy of the posted bid documents is attached as Exhibit 'A'.
Bids were opened and publicly read on April 8, 2026 (Bid No. 26-036). The bid tabulation for the 5 bids received is attached as Exhibit 'B'. The lowest responsible bid was submitted by Compass Minerals America Inc. in the amount of $1,065,000.00. A copy of the submitted bid is attached as Exhibit 'C'. Compass Minerals has provided bulk road salt to the City for a number of years. A copy of the Verification of Good Standing is attached as Exhibit 'D'. We recommend awarding the salt purchase to Compass Minerals America Inc. for the unit prices submitted.
The local preference ordinance does not apply due to the funding source (MFT).
Included in the specifications is a commitment that the City will purchase at least 80% of the salt ($852,000.00). The amount of salt to be purchased will be determined later, will depend on a number of factors and will be communicated with Compass sometime after contract award.
The 2026 budget includes these expenditures within account 203-4060-431.65-32 (Salt). The 2026 budget is $1,379,600.00 for salt. If required, a budget transfer of MFT funds will be processed at a later date to put additional funds into this account from other MFT projects. The amount of the budget transfer will depend on how much salt is delivered with this contract (TBD, will be between 80% and 100%) and how much salt will be received by the State and DuPage contracts prior to January 1, 2027. It is possible that a 2026 budget transfer would not even be needed.
Prior to any expenditure of MFT funds, the State must review the proposed expenditure and authorize the use of MFT funds. The $1,065,000.00 is a worst case scenario and only being presented to avoid additional perfunctory IDOT paperwork for calendar year 2026. The actual expenditure is dependent upon the severity of the winter and the number of events that require the use of these chemicals, as well as how much of the future orders are placed in 2026 vs. 2027. Any unused funds from this expenditure will be returned to the City's unobligated MFT balance at the end of 2026. Exhibit 'E' is the Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code required by IDOT to be passed by the City Council.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution will provide the City with the necessary materials to perform proper snow and ice control on city streets during the 2026 calendar year and into 2027.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward this resolution to the Finance Committee for their review and recommendation.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a contract with Compass Minerals America Inc. in the amount of $1,065,000.00 and the appropriation and expenditure of MFT funds for an amount up to $1,065,000.00 for salt purchases.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable to purchase bulk rock salt to fill the new salt dome at the new Public Works Facility; and
WHEREAS, bids were received and publicly opened and read on April 8, 2026, with bid tabulation attached hereto and incorporated as Exhibit 'B'; and
WHEREAS, Compass Minerals America Inc. was the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of one million sixty five thousand dollars and zero cents ($1,065,000.00); and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Local Roads and Streets Policy and Procedures; and
WHEREAS, said Policy and Procedures require that the Local Agency adopt a resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for general maintenance projects; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has estimated additional material costs for snow removal and deicing operations for the 2026 calendar year to be $1,065,000.00; and
WHEREAS, 2026 budget has the funds budgeted in account 203-4060-431.65-32 (Salt) with potentially a budget transfer in the future; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora desires to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax Funds for MFT Section 26-00000-00-GM.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute a contract with Compass Minerals America Inc. for the unit prices shown within the bid as set forth in Exhibit 'C'.
BE IT RESOLVED, that one million sixty five thousand dollars ($1,065,000.00) of available MFT Funds, Motor Fuel Tax Section Number 26-00000-00-GM shall be and hereby is appropriated for the purposes set forth in this resolution; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the Clerk respectively, shall be and hereby are directed to execute all the aforementioned documents on behalf of the City and any other documents required to carry the purposes of this resolution into execution, including, but not limited to the document entitled “Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code, Form (BLR 14220)” attached to this Resolution as Exhibit 'E'.